Dodgers leadoff man Joc Pederson fouled off a couple of high-90s fastballs from Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz, who was trying to establish the aggressive, attacking foundation that has made him a blooming ace.
The flame-throwing right-hander threw one fastball too many. The crack of a bat lifted more than 50,000 people out of their seats and delivered a momentum avalanche toward the home dugout.
Pederson planted the third pitch into the bleachers for a home run and an immediate lead. The Braves never recovered and lost Game 1 of the National League Division Series 6-0 on Thursday night.
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“This was a big game here, because you lose this game, now you have to beat them three out of four, and that’s a tough chore,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
For a team that has embraced the spotlight, especially on the road, where the Braves had captured an NL-high-tying 47 games, the Dodgers delivered a Mike Tyson-style punch to the mouth. It only took two innings.
Justin Turner doubled and Max Muncy walked following Pederson’s homer. Foltynewicz held the damage to a run, but if one is to believe in statement innings, that would’ve qualified. The Dodgers looked ready; the Braves seemed to be figuring it out.
“About the only positive is getting out of that first inning,” Foltynewicz said.
The defending NL champs wouldn’t let Foltynewicz off the hook again. After recording two outs in the second, he hit Pederson in the leg and walked Turner. Muncy, the Dodgers’ most prideful gem of the several they’ve so-often mined, obliterated a 96-mph fastball for a three-run homer.
“I did everything I could to be ready for this moment, but just things didn’t work out the way I wanted out there,” Foltynewicz said. “But whenever the next chance (comes), I’ll definitely be competing like I was tonight.”
The Braves’ Game 1 starter survived a pair of innings, laboring through 50 pitches and exiting in a four-run hole. Foltynewicz’s development has been an encouraging footnote in the 2018 season. He’s leaps and bounds more advanced mentally.
But Thursday, he looked like a postseason rookie. That was understandable, but an occurrence the Braves could least afford. Sean Newcomb ate the next two innings, pitching well. It likely eliminated the lefty from consideration to start Game 4 on Monday, if necessary.
Much was made of the Dodgers starting Hyun-Jin Ryu in the opener rather than Clayton Kershaw, but the left-hander looked worthy of the distinction in every form.
Ryu worked the strike zone masterfully. He produced efficient innings, not requiring the Dodgers to dip into their bullpen until the eighth. He threw 104 pitches, his most in over a year. He allowed four hits, striking out eight and walking none.
“He was in control,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “There was a lot of soft contact. He was doing what he wanted to do, missing bats, the no-walk, and really competed well. It was good to see and we needed that one.”
Snitker lifted Newcomb in the fifth, when Ender Inciarte and Charlie Culberson had back-to-back singles and his spot was up. Kurt Suzuki popped out to right and his team remained scoreless.
Ronald Acuna reached on a Manny Machado fielding error to start the sixth. But the Braves’ aggressive base running bit them when Johan Camargo struck out and Acuna was gunned down at second for a double play. Down four runs, Acuna missed the sign to halt and was out for being overly ambitious.
“In his mind, he’s an aggressive kid,” Snitker said. “He wants to make something happen, but in that situation we held him, he missed a sign and we probably ran him 3-2.”
Every game in the postseason is pivotal, but Game 2 approaches must-win territory for the Braves. Going back to Atlanta down 0-2 would require three consecutive wins, including a finale at Dodger Stadium.
They’ll need veteran starter Anibal Sanchez to provide stability on the mound. And their offense will have to tag the greatest pitcher of this generation in Kershaw at his palace.
The Braves have beat the odds all year. Down 1-0 against a team nearly everyone projected as the series’ winner, they’re challenged to do it again on the biggest stage.
“A lot of guys got out there tonight and played in a playoff game,” Snitker said. “I think they were jacked up and excited and it’s a big moment at this point in their career, Folty included. ... Since we have experienced it, they’ve been through a lot, they’ve come back a lot all year. I think they’ll come back with a little more sense of what we’re in for tomorrow.”
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